I have owned both since 1968, And have destroyed several trannys but have
had great luck with engines, Cracked heads don't count. Carl E.
Frank Clarici wrote:
> Ok I have to add my $.02 just like everybody else.
> 1972, I buy my 1275 Sprite off my dad and I love it.
> 1973, I buy a brand new Spitfire 1500 off the lot for $3000.
> 1976, I sell the Spitfire with it's 3rd engine for $900.
> I have owned only A series engine cars ever since, and if I did manage
> to get a 1500 Midget, I swapped it out for an A series.
>
> 1st to go on my 1500 was the rings at 11,000 miles, replace it with a
> 1296 older triumph engine which ran great while I rebuilt the 1500.
> Next, spun a main bearing while racing a Fiat on the hiway!!
> Embarrassed, I put the 1296 back into the car then it throws a rod. Next
> I acquire another 1500 engine from a 74 wrecked spitfire (this is 1975
> so the engine was only about a year old) this thing never had any oil
> pressure and since I was also getting tired of changing diffs (9 in 3
> years) I sold the car and swore never to own another Triumph powered car
> in my life. So far I not but I did sell a few that I never titled in my
> name.
>
> Back to A series engines....I never blew one up, never had oil pressure
> problems, never had major smoking problems unless it was a relic I just
> saved from the junk yard, even then most run great with only some fresh
> gas. I have rebuilt many and only twice replaced cam bearings only
> because I was replacing the cam, I have also slapped them together with
> different rods (mixed sets) miss matched pistons, and good used bearings
> and they run forever. The slapped together engines seem to be the ones
> with no problems. My wife's Sprite PIECES is called PIECES because it
> was made from all good used parts including the engine! It always
> starts, runs excellent, and actually has better oil pressure then my
> resent re-machined rebuild.
>
> Sorry for ranting, this is just my personal experiences with both
> engines.
> Has any A series owners ever had lower end problems, stuck cylinder
> heads, 5 psi oil pressure, or trouble getting #1 spark plug out?
> Just curious.
>
> Not looking to start a war either, it's just my belly button.
> --
> Frank Clarici
> Toms River, NJ
> Lots of LBCs
> http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut
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